Through Feb 2 - Taking a Shot at Texas Politics
State Theater, 719 Congress Avenue
austintheatrealliance.org

When this mirror of life in the State Capitol first appeared in October, one State Representative called Sonny's Last Shot "uncomfortably close to reality." Written by one of Austin's best and most prized writers, Larry Wright, this hysterical theatrical interpretation of behind-the-scenes maneuvering is a must-see for anyone interested in what really happens before the smoke settles.

On stage at the State Theater through February 2, the play stars veteran Texas actor G.W. Bailey, whose credits include playing Sgt. Rizzo on the Emmy award-winning TV series M.A.S.H. Texas native, Will Wallace, also returns from Hollywood to recreate his unforgettable role as Sonny, an idealistic Republican who tries to champion campaign finance reform.

Performances are at 8:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, and all tickets are $28.50. Join the uproarious ribaldry, if for no other reason than to take part in the talk of the town as the 79th Session continues to produce the laws we'll all be paying for.

Jan 22 -The Young Black Stallion
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress
(512) 936-8746, thestoryoftexas.com

The 1979 hit family film, The Black Stallion, has been recreated into a prequel just for the giant screen. The Young Black Stallion, stars Austin's own Biana Tamimi in the lead role as Neera in an adventure that's as beautiful as it is captivating. Saddle up for this Saturday's opening day of free family fun, including lots of information about horses and an up-close-and-personal with the star, who will be signing autographs and talking about her experiences making the film. Younger children can also make a stick pony to ride home. The event takes place from Noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Museum.

Jan 26-28 - Salute to Bernardo Bertolucci
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatrealliance.org

Relive two Italian cinematic masterpieces: The Conformist and Last Tango in Paris. These are two of Bernardo Bertolucci's very finest. Check Paramount's listing for showtimes.

Still showing...
21: The Battle for Algiers, Paramount Theatre, austintheatrealliance.org
To 1/21: The Polar Express, IMAX® Theatre, austintheatrealliance.org
To 2/12: Treasure Island, Scottish Rite Theatre, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To 3/05: Bugs 3-D: A Rainforest Adventure, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
To 3/o6: Blown Sideways Through Life, Zachary Scott Theatre, zachscott.com

Jan 20 - Thursday Noontime Concert
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

Enjoy a brown bag lunch as you listen to the classical piano of Tim Woolsey. This free concert begins at 12:05 p.m., and the $5 lunch is served at 12:30.

Jan 21 - Strings Attached with Kacy Crowley
St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th
(512) 775-2371, stringsattached.org

Kacy Crowley puts on such a great show! She'll be joining Will Taylor as his special guest for this month's Strings Attached at St. David's Episcopal Church. Tickets are available at stringsattached.org or the St. David's Bookshop, 477-9937.

Jan 21-Jan 22 -Classical Concert Series
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
austinsymphony.org

This man can tickle the keyboard with amazing dexterity. Experience the power of pianist Peter Serkin when he joins the Austin Symphony Orchestra for their Classical Concert Series. Bass Concert Hall will be filled with the music of Michael Torke, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor and Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, Op. 45.

Jan 22 - Jonny Lang - Well Worth the Wait
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
austintheatrealliance.org

At only 22 years old, Jonny Lang already has two platinum sellers and a Grammy nomination under his belt. The four-year wait for his latest disc, Long Time Coming, has been well worth it. He has a sound that U.S. News & World Report described as, "the voice of a grizzled blues veteran with a 20-year Marlboro habit-and guitar skills to match." Special guest Brandi Carlile joins Jonny Lang and his Acoustic Band Tour. Tickets for the 8:00 p.m. show range from $29-44 and are available at startickets.com.

Jan 23 - Robert Earl Keen
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
austintheatrealliance.org

Austin Winter Nights benefiting the Austin Music Foundation and SIMS Foundation continues with a legend. Robert Earl Keen's style and presence have made him far more than a singer-songwriter. He draws portraits and tells stories that move you from the inside out. You'll hear the full range of this soulful, sometimes silly and always entertaining showman. You can purchase tickets ($27-44) for the 7:00 p.m. show at gettix.net.

Jan 20 - A Look Through Goldsworthy's Lens
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

James Housefield, AMOA Adjunct Curator and Professor of Art and Design at Texas State University will present To Bring the Leaf to Life: Nature through Andy Goldsworthy's Lens. This and all AMOA programs are free with Museum admission, unless otherwise noted.

Jan 21-Feb 20 - Siete Mundos: Ceramica Veracruzana
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, mexic-artemuseum.org

The work of 15 artists who currently live in the State of Veracruz highlight the beauty, intricacy and prominence of ceramics as an art form in Mexico. Opening Reception - January 21, 7:00-9:00 p.m; free Gallery Talk with Museum Curator, Graciela Kartofel, 2:00 p.m., January 22nd.

Jan 23 - Identification Day
Texas Memorial Museum of Science & History, 2400 Trinity
(512) 471-1604, tmm.utexas.edu

Bring your natural treasure(s) to the Texas Memorial Museum this Sunday and learn more exactly what they are. Scientists and experts from all over Central Texas will be on hand to look at and identify natural objects (fossils, rocks, insects, etc.). Bring the kids - they'll love it.

Also on display Downtown...

To 1/29 - The Group Show, F8 Fine Art Gallery, 1137 W. 6th, f8fineart.com
To 2/12 - Abstract Art, d berman gallery, 1701 Guadalupe, dbermangallery.com
To 2/12 - OPEN HOUSE, Women & Their Work, 1710 Lavaca, womenandtheirwork.org
To 2/20- Andy Goldsworthy, Natural Installations, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 5/29 - Bats in My World, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 8/28 - Signs of the Times: Life in the Swingin' Sixties, LBJ Library & Museum, lbjlib.utexas.edu

Jan 20 - Downtown 'a la Carte
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
William Hobby Building - 300 W. 4th Street
Contact: Bill Brice (512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

Servin' Up Downtown! Drop by the William Hobby Building this Thursday during your lunch hour to get a taste all the great things Downtown has to offer. Enjoy live music by Cabo Bay and complimentary appetizers by 219 West, Dona Emilia's and Truluck's. Blue Plate Specials by: Austin Museum Partnership, Austin Circle of Theaters, In the Galleries, Historic Austin, Austin Farmer's Market and Capital Metro. Find out more about the best of the best in Austin with loads of information about Downtown dining, shopping, entertainment and more! It's free and open to everyone in the neighborhood.

Jan 20 - Mathews Elementary Open House Tour
Mathews Elementary School, 906 West Lynn St.
(512) 841-1516, austinschools.org/mathews

What could be better than having your child(ren) at an award-winning, nationally recognized, international public elementary school right in the neighborhood? That's what Mathew's Elementary offers you and your children. Discover what this one-of-a-kind school has to offer during an Open House Tour for Prospective Parents. With Extend-A-Care child care on site, and a FREE Prime Time after school enrichment program, Mathews is a great school for parents who work Downtown and want to attend their child's activities during the day. The program is at 8:00 p.m. and all are welcome to learn more about what and how your kids can learn right here in Downtown.

Jan 22-23 - South Congress Sales & Concert to Benefit Tsunami Relief Efforts
South Congress, txmusiccafe.com/entrance.html

Enjoy tons of great live music this weekend on South Congress, buy cool gift items and participate in a silent auction to benefit tsunami relief efforts. Participating merchants will donate up to 50% of sales to various relief efforts. D & L's Texas Music Cafe will host a 2:00 p.m. benefit concert both days featuring Dale Watson, Trish Murphy, Kacy Crowley, and Matt the Electrician. Advance tickets are available at D & L's Love Gift Shop (1000 South 1st St) - $15 per day or $25 for two-day passes.

Jan 28 - The Reemergence of Retail in Downtown
Alliance Winter Luncheon
The Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

You do not want to miss this luncheon! Find out about the blueprint for revitalizing and reinventing Downtown with world-class retail. Nationally-known retail expert, Tom Moriarity, will lay out the vision. For more details, watch for your Downtown Focus newsletter or go to downtownaustin.com and click on January 28 on the calendar. Or go ahead and make your reservations right now clicking here - rsvp@downtownaustin.com.

Jan 20 - 8:00 a.m. - Issues & Eggs
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, Room 111
469-1766, rsvp@downtownaustin.com

Please join us for a free breakfast and important discussion of

Working Together for our Downtown Parks & Trails.

Guest Speakers include:
Ted Siff, Executive Director, Austin Parks Foundation
Paul Wilson, Texas Gas Service
Dan Garrison, Volunteer Director, Town Lake Trails Foundation
Jeff Burrus, Treasurer & Director, Town Lake Trails Foundation

Along with this Issues & Eggs topic, sponsors and volunteers are now being sought for It's My Park Day coming up quickly - April 23! For details on how you or your company can become involved and benefit from this activity, please go to austinparks.org.

Jan 26 - Security & Maintenance Committee
8:30 a.m.
Southwest Tower, 211 E. 7th Street, 7th Floor Conference Room
Chair: John Nyfeler; DAA Contact: Bill Brice
(512) 469-1766, downtownaustin.com

On Stage
21: The Battle for Algiers, Paramount Theatre,austintheatrealliance.org
To 1/21: The Polar Express, IMAX® Theatre,thestoryoftexas.com
22: Opening of The Young Black Stallion, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum,thestoryoftexas.com
26-28: Salute to Bernardo Bertolucci Films, Paramount Theatre,austintheatrealliance.org
To 2/5: Sonny's Last Stand, State Theater,austintheatrealliance.org
To 2/12: Treasure Island, Scottish Rite Theatre,scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To 3/5: Bugs 3-D: A Rainforest Adventure, IMAX® Theatre,thestoryoftexas.com
To 3/6: Blown Sideways Through Life, Zachary Scott Theatre,zachscott.com

The Music Scene
20: Thursday Noontime Concerts, Central Presbyterian Church, Tim Woolsey Classical Piano, centralpresbyterian.org
21: Strings Attached w/Kacy Crowley, St. David's Episcopal Church,stringsattached.org
21-22: Classical Concert Series with Peter Serkin, Bass Concert Hall,austinsymphony.org
22: Jonny Lang and his Acoustic Band Tour with Brandi Carlile, Paramount Theatre,austintheatrealliance.org
23: Robert Earl Keen, Paramount Theatre,austintheatrealliance.org

Gallery Watch & Museum Musings
20: A Look Through Goldsworthy's Lens, Austin Museum of Art,amoa.org
21-2/20: Siete Mundos: Ceramica Veracruzana, Mexic-Arte Museum,mexic-artemuseum.org
23: Identification Day, Texas Memorial Museum,tmm.utexas.edu
To 29: The Group Show, F8 Fine Art Gallery, 8fineart.com
To 2/12: Abstract Art, d berman gallery,dbermangallery.com
To 2/12: OPEN HOUSE, Women & Their Work, 1710 Lavaca,womenandtheirwork.org
To 2/20: Andy Goldsworthy, Natural Installations, Austin Museum of Art,amoa.org
To 5/29: Bats in My World, Austin Children's Museum,austinkids.org
To 8/28: Signs of the Times: Life in the Swingin' Sixties, LBJ Library & Museum,lbjlib.utexas.edu

Special Events
20: Downtown 'a la Carte,11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., William Hobby Building,downtownaustin.com
20: Mathews Elementary Open House, Mathews Elementary School,austinschools.org/mathews
22-23: South Congress Sales & Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert,txmusiccafe.com
28: The Retail Vision Unveiled, Alliance Winter Luncheon, The Four Seasons Hotel,downtownaustin.com

DAA Gatherings
20: Issues & Eggs, Working Together for our Downtown Parks & Trails,rsvp@downtownaustin.com
26: Security & Maintenance Committee, Southwest Tower,downtownaustin.com